[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Multiple Linux'es (Was: Umm, I'm in need...)

[Steve Baker]

Allen Flick wrote:
> 
> Kyle_Davenport at compusa.com wrote:
> 
> > heh, you're a lawyer; you ought to know the plural of "ix" is "ices".  Several
> > Linices.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> 
> I used to think "indices" was the only proper way to pluralize the
> word "index".  But, I was challenged one day & I looked up in old
> Webster Dictionary and low & behold, "indexes" is also listed as
> a proper pluralization of "index".
> 
> Therefore, I would assume that Linuxes is just as proper as Linices.

There is a long history in the computer business of pluralizing words
that end in 'X' with 'en'.

Hence:

   Vax  -> Vaxen
   Unix -> Unixen

So - Linux -> Linuxen.

Check out the Jargon file for the origins and history of this strange
plural formation.

Personally, I don't think it's a word that you should pluralize - there
is only one Linux - but it has multiple copies, releases, versions, flavors
and distributions.

Hence:

   Many copies of Linux
   Many versions of Linux
   Many releases of Linux
   Many flavors of Linux
   Many distributions of Linux

...but NEVER many Linuxen.

-- 
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